ai4bharat/Pralekha huggingface dataset:
Ministry of Defence
Himalayan heights Motorcycle expedition flagged in at Leh
The 14 days, 11 members Himalayan Heights Motorcycle Expedition from Leh to Karakoram Pass successfully completed the arduous challenge and was flagged in at Leh today by Lt Gen YK Joshi, General Officer Commanding Fire and Fury Corps. The unprecedented expedition that began on 07 Apr 19 traversed over 1000 Km in the forbidding landscape of Eastern Ladakh, crossing the mighty Khardung La and Chang La passes on the Ladakh Range at altitudes over 17000 ft.
The expedition team comprised six motorcyclists from the Army Service Corps, a major logistics service of the Indian Army and five riders from Royal Enfield and Himalayan Motorsports Association. To their credit goes the historic landmark of riding to the Karakoram Pass on the Karakoram Range situated at an altitude of 18600 ft, where they reached on 16 Apr 19. Speaking on the occassion at the Karakoram Pass, Lt Gen YK Joshi had complimented the spirited riders on their path breaking achievement.
Displaying extremely high levels of endurance, physical fitness and mental resilience, the riders have conquered the harsh, under developed terrain and extreme temperatures with their zeal, skill and motivation. The expedition team led by Maj K Renuka includes Maj Bhupesh Rawat, Capt Akshay Joshi, Capt Jabez Philip, Capt Arpit Kapila, Capt Nikita A Nair, Sep Abhijit, Sep Shiv Singh, Sep Deewakar Mishra, Vijay Parmar, Aditya Malaker, Nihal Raheja, and Hema Choudhary. In a tribute to the immortal tales of sacrifice during the Kargil War fought in Ladakh in 1999, the expedition mirrored the soldierly attributes of indomitable courage and the steely will to contest seemingly insurmountable odds. Riding from Leh over the Chang La Pass, the expedition travelled across Durbuk, Tangtse, Chongtash, Daulat Beg Oldie, Karakoram Pass, Khalsar and back over the Khardung La Pass.
While flagging in the expedition as part of celebrating 20 years of Kargil Vijay Diwas, Lt Gen YK Joshi, felicitated the team members for their achievement. Recalling the valour exhibited by the nation’s Armed Forces during Operation Vijay, the GOC complimented the young Army riders of the Army Service Corps for their high levels of fitness and tenacity and lauded the members of Royal Enfield and Himalayan Motorsports Association for their contribution to ‘Remember, Rejoice and Renew’ the indomitable spirit of the Indian Army, the 20th Anniversary year of the Kargil Vijay Diwas.
Lt Col Mohit Vaishnava
for PRO 
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Ministry of Defence
MAIDEN AL-MOHED AL-HINDI EXERCISE SET TO BEGIN BETWEEN INDIAN NAVY AND SAUDI ARABIA NAVY
The Indian Navy's visit to Kingdom of Saudi Arabia was set rolling with the Flag Officer Commanding Western Fleet , Rear Adm Ajay Kochhar visiting the Fleet Cdr of Royal Saudi Navy's Eastern Fleet, Rear Adm Majid Al Qahtani on 10 Aug 21. This was held at King Abdul Aziz Naval Base, which is the Headquarters for Saudi Eastern Fleet. The FOCWF also visited the King Fahd Naval Academy and met with the Commandant Rear Admiral Faisal Bin Fahd Al Ghufaily.
Dr Ausaf Sayeed, Indian Ambassador to Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, visited INS Kochi at Al Jubail where he held a press conference onboard along with the FOCWF and the Commanding Officer of the ship.
On 11 Aug 21, the Indian Western Fleet Commander accompanied by the Indian Ambassador called on the Governor of Eastern Province of Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Saud bin Nayef Al Saud at Dammam.
On the operational front, gearing up for the maiden bilateral exercise 'AL – Mohed AL – Hindi', the team of Indian Navy met with counterparts of the Royal Saudi Navy for a co-ordinating conference at King Abdulaziz Naval base in Al Jubail, Saudi Arabia. For deeper understanding of each other’s operational practices, lectures by subject matter experts from both navies were also held.
Ministry of Women and Child Development
Smt Maneka Sanjay Gandhi and Boxing Star Mary Kom flag off the 2nd Edition of HAUSLA Sports Meet in New Delhi, today
Smt Maneka Sanjay Gandhi, Union Minister for Ministry of Women and Child Development flagged off the HAUSLA-2018 Sports Meet in the presence of Ms. Mary Kom, Indian Olympic Boxer & Member of Parliament  at Jawahar Lal Nehru Stadium in New Delhi today. Secretary WCD, Shri Rakesh Srivastava and other officials of WCD ministry were also present on the occasion.
Addressing the participants, Smt Maneka Sanjay Gandhi said that she appreciated the presence of Mary Kom- a national treasure- to be there to inspire and motivate the children from CCIs to aim higher like her in their lives. Talking about the safe neighborhood campaign of the ministry, she said its very important that all the parents, teachers and guardians should know that the government has provided platforms like ChildLine, e-Box for raising their grievance of any kind pertaining to child sexual abuse and harassment.
Delivering the welcome address, Secretary, Shri Rakesh Srivastava said that he has requested sports authorities to be present at the sports meet so that they can witness the sporting talent of children from CCIs and if possible provide them a higher platform to perform better.
The sports meet is part of HAUSLA- 2018-the inter-Child Care Institution festival, which is witnessing participation of more than 600 Children drawn from CCIs from 16 states in the various events like painting competition, athletics meet, football, chess competition and speech writing as part of the Festival. Athletics Meet, Chess Competition and Football Matches for boys and girls from CCIs are being held on 28-29 November 2018 at Jawahar Lal Nehru Stadium, New Delhi.
Ministry of Commerce & Industry
Need for diversification of trade basket, deeper cooperation in bilateral investment and skill development in key sectors: Smt. Patel tells the visiting Gabonese Industry Minister
India’s expertise and knowledge in Solar energy can benefit Gabon: Smt. Patel
Union Minister of State for Commerce & Industry, Smt. Anupriya Patel meets Mr. Pacome Moubelet Boubeya, Minister of State, Industry, Gabon.
Union Minister of State for Commerce & Industry, Smt. Anupriya Patel today met Mr. Pacome Moubelet-Boubeya, Minister of State, Minister of Industry, Republic of Gabon who is on a two day visit to New Delhi to attend 17th CII-EXIM Bank Conclave on India-Africa Growth Partnership. Minister Moubelet-Boubeya was accompanied by a high-level delegation of ten members including Mr. Hugues Judicael Mbadinga Madiya, Minister for the Promotion of Investment and Public -Private Partnership, Republic of Gabon and Ms. Yolande Christiane Nyonda, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs.
The two Ministers held forward looking and productive discussions covering the entire gamut of bilateral trade, commerce, economic and investment ties between the two countries. They also discussed active economic engagement and identified new areas for cooperation, particularly in mining, defence, agriculture, healthcare, pharmaceuticals, and renewable energy. The two Ministers while expressing satisfaction upon the growing bilateral trade which had crossed 1.2 billion USD in 2021-22 despite the pandemic, acknowledged the need for diversification of trade basket and deeper cooperation in bilateral investment.
Minister Moubelet-Boubeya apprised MoS about the investment opportunities in Gabon, especially in the Gabon Special Economic Zone  wherein 54 Indian companies have set up manufacturing units in various sectors like pharma, timber, mining, steel and food processing. Both sides noted the need for cooperation in skill development /training and capacity building in key sectors, including quality standards.
MoS appreciated the “Emergent Gabon Vision 2025” plan and assured India's full cooperation in Gabon's transformation and diversification of its economy. Ms. Patel also appreciated the joint efforts of India and Africa Group at the recent WTO Ministerial Conference held in Geneva. Both Ministers have agreed to continue cooperation at various multilateral organisations, including the UN and the WTO.
Ministry of Electronics & IT
Whatsapp told to find more effective solutions
On 3rd July 2018 MeitY had written to Whatsapp exhorting them to take immediate steps to tackle the menace of misuse of their platform wherein inflammatory messages were circulated that led to unfortunate incidents. On the same day Whatsapp responded indicating their initiative to mark forwarded messages and to step up efforts to detect fake news.
Subsequently, an unfortunate incident has occurred in Bidar where a 32 year old software engineer Mohammed Azam was killed and this was preceded by viral circulation of rumours on Whatsapp about child lifters. It is regretted that the enormity of the challenge and the rampant abuse happening in the country leading to repeated commissioning of crimes pursuant to rampant circulation of irresponsible messages in large volumes on their platform have not been addressed adequately by Whatsapp.
Reports in the media resonate the general sentiment that there is much more that needs to be done by Whatsapp.There is a need for bringing in traceability and accountability when a provocative / inflammatory message is detected and a request is made by law enforcement agencies. When rumours and fake news get propagated by mischief mongers, the medium used for such propagation cannot evade responsibility and accountability. If they remain mute spectators they are liable to be treated as abettors and thereafter face consequent legal action.
In light of the above, Whatsapp has been requested today to come out with more effective solutions that can bring in accountability and facilitate enforcement of law in addition to their efforts towards labeling forwards and identifying fake news. It has been conveyed to them in unmistakable terms that it is a very serious issue which deserves a more sensitive response.
NNK/MD
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Ministry of Finance
Union Finance Minister to hold interactive sessions on Budget 2020 in Mumbai
The Union Minister for Finance and Corporate Affairs, Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman is visiting Mumbai on February 7, 2020. The Finance Minister will meet with industry representatives, trade bodies, investment bankers and farmers’ organizations and interact with them on various themes and provisions in the Union Budget 2020-21, presented in Parliament on February 1, 2020. She will also hold another detailed interactive session with economists, tax practitioner associations, financial and accounting firms, professional bodies, academicians, policy makers and various other opinion leaders regarding the salient features of the Budget.
The Finance Minister will be joined by Secretary , Secretary , Secretary , Secretary  and Chairperson, Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs  and Chairperson, Central Board of Direct Taxes .
Associations / bodies desirous of attending the interaction with the Finance Minister may contact the office of the Commissioner of Income Tax , Aayakar Bhawan, Churchgate, Mumbai through email at mumbai.cit.co.admin@incometax.gov.in .
The Finance Minister Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman is scheduled to hold similar interactions in Chennai, Kolkata and later in Bengaluru.
Prime Minister's Office
Women MPs meet PM after passage of the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam
Women Members of Parliament met Prime Minister to express their happiness over the passage of the historic Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam last night.
The Prime Minister posted on X :
"Had the honor of meeting our dynamic women MPs who are absolutely thrilled at the passage of the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam.
It is gladdening to see the torchbearers of change come together to celebrate the very legislation they have championed.
With the passage of the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam, India stands at the cusp of a brighter, more inclusive future with our Nari Shakti being at the core of this transformation."
Ministry of Road Transport & Highways
Bharatmala Pariyojana Inner
The Government of India had approved Bharatmala Pariyojana Phase-I in October, 2017 with an aggregate length of about 34,800 km  at an estimated outlay of Rs. 5,35,000.00 crores for development of about 9,000 km length of Economic corridors, about 6,000 km length of Inter-corridor and feeder roads, about 5,000 km length of National Corridors Efficiency improvements, about 2,000 km length of Border and International connectivity roads, about 2,000 km length of Coastal and port connectivity roads, about 800 km length of Expressways.
Projects comprising length of 1,371 km have been awarded in North Eastern States, including Assam, under Bharatmala Pariyojana Phase-I, out of which 27 km length has been completed. The State-wise details are as under:
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|
State
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Total
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|
Awarded
|
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Length

|
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Total Capital cost (Rs. in
Cr.)
|
|
Length

|
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Total Capital cost 
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|
Assam
|
|
512
|
|
15,523
|
|
225
|
|
10,635
|
|
Manipur
|
|
607
|
|
10,015
|
|
387
|
|
7,116
|
|
Meghalaya
|
|
128
|
|
2,218
|
|
128
|
|
2,218
|
|
Mizoram
|
|
361
|
|
6,370
|
|
361
|
|
6,370
|
|
Nagaland
|
|
193
|
|
3,398
|
|
193
|
|
3,398
|
|
Tripura
|
|
75
|
|
1,075
|
|
75
|
|
1,075
3 National Highways  have been declared in the State of Assam.
Badarpurghat-Mamit Road and Silchar-Kanailbazar road in the State of Assam have not been declared as National Highways. The Ministry considers declaration of NHs from time to time based on the requirement of connectivity, inter-se priority and availability of funds.
This information was given by Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways, Shri Nitin Gadkari in a written reply in the Lok Sabha.
Prime Minister's Office
PM condemns violent incident at public event at Wakayama in Japan
The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi has condemned a violent incident at a public event at Wakayama in Japan where Prime Minister of Japan Mr.Fumio Kishida was present.
In a tweet, the Prime Minister said;
"Learnt of a violent incident at a public event at Wakayama in Japan where my friend PM @Kishida230 was present. Relieved that he is safe. Praying for his continued well-being and good health. India condemns all acts of violence."
Ministry of Culture
Culture Ministry administers ‘ Scheme for Pension and Medical Aid to artistes’ to improve financial and socio-economic status of artistes and scholars in the field of arts
The Ministry of Culture administers a Scheme by the name of ‘Scheme for Pension and Medical Aid to artistes’. The objective of the Scheme is to improve financial and socio-economic status of the old aged artistes and scholars who have contributed significantly in their specialized fields of arts, letters etc. but are in penury condition. The amount is being given to eligible beneficiaries  who are above 60 years and whose annual income is less than Rs.48000/-. Further, Ministry of Culture also administers a Scheme namely ‘Scheme of Scholarship & Fellowship for promotion of art and culture’ having following three components: -
- ‘Award of Scholarships to Young Artists in Different Cultural Fields ’- Scholarship of Rs.5000/- per month is provided to selected beneficiaries in the age group of 18 -25 years, in four equal six monthly installments for a period of 2 years. The candidates should have undergone training under any Guru or Institution for a minimum period of five years. The scholars are selected on the basis of their performance in a personal interview/interaction before an Expert Committee for Scholarship constituted by the Ministry;
- Award of Senior/Junior Fellowships to outstanding persons in different cultural fields – Senior Fellowship is provided to selected Fellows in the age group of forty years and above in four equal 6 monthly instalments @ Rs.20,000/- per month for 02 years for cultural research. Junior Fellowship is provided to selected Fellows in the age group of twenty five to forty years in four equal 6 monthly installments @ Rs. 10,000/- per month for 02 years. Upto 400 Senior & Junior Fellowships are awarded in one batch year. The Fellows are selected by an Expert Committee for Sr/Jr Fellowship constituted by the Ministry.
- Award of Tagore National Fellowship for cultural research – The candidates are selected under two categories viz. Tagore National Fellowship and Tagore Research Scholarship to work on cultural research by affiliation under different participating institutions in 4 different groups. The final selection is made by the National Selection Committee  specially constituted by the Ministry.
Apart from the above, financial assistance is also provided to professional and non-professional artists through other schemes such as Repertory Grant, Cultural Function Production Grant, etc.
This information is given by the Union Minister of Culture, Tourism and Development of North Eastern Region Shri G. Kishan Reddy in Rajya Sabha today.
Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports
Cabinet approves MoU between India and Bangladesh on cooperation in Youth matters
The Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi was apprised of a Memorandum of Understanding  signed between India and Bangladesh on cooperation in Youth matters. The MoU was signed on 5th October, 2019 at New Delhi.
Exchange programmes in the field of Youth Affairs between India and Bangladesh will help in promoting exchange of ideas, values and culture amongst Youth and in consolidating friendly relations. It will help in developing international perspective among the Youth and expanding their knowledge and expertise in the areas of youth affairs.
President's Secretariat
President of India to hold Discussions with Governors, LGs and Administrators of States and UTs on Covid-19 Response Tomorrow
The President of India, Shri Ram Nath Kovind, along with the Vice President of India, Shri M. Venkaiah Naidu, will hold a video-conference from Rashtrapati Bhavan tomorrow  with Governors, Lieutenant Governors and Administrators of all States and Union Territories to bolster the efforts at the Central and State level to contain and manage the crisis arising from the outbreak of COVID-19.
This will be second such video-conference with Governors/LGs and Administrators of States and UTs. In the first video-conference held on March 27, 2020, 14 Governors and Delhi Lt. Governor shared experiences in their territories. The remaining Governors/LGs and Administrators will share their experiences tomorrow.
The agenda of the conference will be the status of COVID-19 in the States, the role of the Red Cross with focus on vulnerable sections, and the role of civil society/voluntary organisations/private sector in complementing the efforts of the Union and State governments to contain the spread of the Novel Coronavirus.
Ministry of Finance
Robust Digital Payment Infrastructure Enables Prompt Transfer of Cash Payment under Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Package.
A digital pipeline has been laid through linking of Jan-Dhan accounts as well as other accounts with the account holders’ mobile numbers and Aadhaar [Jan Dhan-Aadhaar-Mobile ]. This infrastructure pipeline is providing the necessary backbone for DBT flows, adoption of social security/pension schemes, etc.The Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana  was launched in August, 2014 with an aim to provide bank accounts to unbanked persons. Out of around 126 crore operative CASA accounts as on 20th March 2020, more than 38 crore have been opened under PMJDY.
- Enablement of interoperable, speedy and accurate transactions:
- The bank accounts are enabled to carry out both cash and digital transactions at bank branches, Business Correspondent  points, merchant locations and on internet. Using biometric ID, highly cost-effective payments solutions like AePS/ Bhim Aadhaar Pay have been created both for banking services and for retail payments.
-
- The Digital Payment Ecosystem includes the following modes:
- AePS: helps in cash withdrawal by using Aadhaar authentication at branch/BC locations.
- Bhim Adhaar Pay: enables payment to merchants using Aadhaar authentication
- RuPay debit cards: As on 31 March 2020, a total of 60.4crore RuPay cards have been issued including 29 crore issued in PMJDY accounts. These cards could be used at ATMs for cash withdrawal and at Points of Sale & e-commerce for digital payments.
- UPI: Immediate real time payment system which helps in both person to person  and Person to Merchant  transactions.
- BBPS: helps in payment of utility bills through internet & BC locations both by using cash & digital modes.
Using the digital payment infrastructure mentioned above, more than 30 crore poor people have received financial assistance of Rs 28,256 crore under the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Package announced by Union Finance Minister Smt Nirmala Sitharaman on 26th March to protect them from the impact of the lockdown due to COVID 19.
The following amounts have been released to beneficiaries till 10th April 2020, under the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Package.
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Scheme
|
|
No of beneficiaries
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|
Estimated amount
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|
Support to PMJDY women account holders
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|
19.86 crore 
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|
Rs 9930 crore
|
|
Front-loaded payments to farmers under PM-KISAN
|
|
6.93 crore 
|
|
Rs 13,855 crore
|
|
Support to NSAP beneficiaries 
|
|
2.82 crore
|
|
Rs 1405 crore
|
|
Support to Building and other construction workers
|
|
2.16 crore
|
|
Rs 3066 crore
|
|
Total
|
|
31.77 crore
|
|
Rs 28,256 crore
Prime Minister's Office
PM greets everyone on the special occasion of Raksha Bandhan
The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi has greeted people on the special occasion of Raksha Bandhan.
The Prime Minister tweeted;
"आप सभी को रक्षाबंधन की बहुत-बहुत बधाई।
Greetings to everyone on the special occasion of Raksha Bandhan."
Special Service and Features
From Endangered to Flourishing: India’s 9-year Wildlife Conservation Journey
2014 – 2022: Tiger Population Up 42 per cent
India has only 2.4 percent of the world’s land area, but it is home to 8 percent of known global biodiversity. During the last 9 years, India has made significant progress in wildlife and environmental conservation. With a culture that values the preservation of nature, India has seen notable improvements in biodiversity, including the recent birth of cheetahs after a 75-year interval.
India is home to 75% of the world’s tiger population. Recently, a report on the Status of Tigers in India was released, indicating a growth in the tiger population to 3167 from 2226, thus a 42% increase in the number of tigers, since 2014.
India currently boasts of the highest number of leopards and tigers. The leopard population has increased by more than 60% from 2014 to 2018. India is the only country in the world to have Asiatic lions, whose numbers have also increased in the past few years.
To further bolster the conservation efforts, Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently launched the International Big Cat Alliance  for the protection of seven big cats, namely Tiger, Lion, Leopard, Snow Leopard, Cheetah, Jaguar and Puma harbouring our planet.